On Camera Field Monitors: Marshall LCD70MD-3G vs SmallHD A7-SDI vs Ikan D7w
- Thread starter commercialguy
- Start date
- The 5.6" model is higher resolution (1280x800) than the 7" model. (1024x600)
- The 7" model is almost three times brighter (800 nits) than the 5.6" model. (300 nits)
I went for the 7" model because I shoot a lot in bright rooms with big windows, so the extra brightness is very handy for my work.
starcentral
Veteran
I'm the 5th post on that thread, I had issues with my 1st D7W and now on my 2nd one and so far so good. BHphoto exchanged it no questions asked.
It does the job, I like the waveform monitor, rgb parade, falsecolor, and it has a mode where you can get a multi-view mode as well. I'm running it off the camera battery most of the time. The battery adapter will break the first you use it. Have some velcro on standby if you plan to use the Canon battery adapter.
Scott F
Pug Life
Any feedback on this from the original poster or others?
I think I want to grab one. Does the adapter for Sony batt or similar snap on securely?
When you first get a new monitor you have to pull off a small round cap on the back that conceals the electrical connection to the battery plates, then you connect the new battery plate, and finally screw it in place. The plate is solid once the screws are seated.
The Marshall LCD70MD-3G monitor listed at the top of this thread accepts both HDMI and SDI inputs, though this monitor hasn't been around that long, so finding a used one might be difficult.
Scott F
Pug Life
Thanks. Easy enough.
First off, this is a great little monitor for the types of jobs I do. I'd been punishing myself with a Manhattan 9" for the last few years (my ONE regrettable purchase from the marketplace since I've been on these boards) The difference in clarity is truly amazing, especially in daylight situations.
My next question as I delve in (directed at you, Dingo) a stock Sony battery fits fine on the adapter. But I have some Pearstones that go on....but not smoothly. I don't want to damage either the adapter or my batts. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive 3rd party Sony battery that works & fits nicely with this unit?
I'm using generic NP-F970 batteries that I bought from here and they are a tight fit, but not an impossible fit. I've read on other forums that the Marshall Sony L battery mount will eventually loosen up, but so far it's a pretty firm touch to get them on and off the mount.
sorry to dig this thread up again but I'm looking to purchase my first monitor and these three as with most people are my top picks. Just wanted to know how everyone is finding their marshals? its the first time ive heard of his model and i really like the specs. it's pretty much a toss up between this and the ikan d7w.
Scott F
Pug Life
i have the V-LCD70MD 7 minus the modular SDI. I'm finding it to be the best monitor i've worked with, especially in that price range. As mentioned, it performs well due to the high NIT count, even in broad daylight I can still see what I'm shooting. picture is sharp, it's easy to calibrate and has peaking & false color.
One drawback (maybe someone can tell me if I have a bum model) When i use zoom lenses and do a quick zoom, i get faint horizontal banding lines across the screen as i go from one focal length to another. they disappear quickly.
other than that I would recommend it.
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One drawback (maybe someone can tell me if I have a bum model) When i use zoom lenses and do a quick zoom, i get faint horizontal banding lines across the screen as i go from one focal length to another. they disappear quickly.
other than that I would recommend it.
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commercialguy
Member
Sorry for the late response, have not been on this forum in a long time. I ended up purchasing the Marshall LCD70MD-3G with the Sony battery plate and large Sony battery mentioned in past posts. When you get it, there is a plastic cap on the back of the monitor. You pop it off and there is a hole in the back of the monitor. You pull out the white wire and there is a plug on it. Your battery plate has a white wire on the back of it with a pin connector on it. You plug it into the plug from the monitor then shove all the cables back into the back of the monitors hole and fix the plate against the back and screw it on. It was very simple to attach the battery plate. Connect the wires, push the wires in the hole and screw it on. The battery also fit very tightly on the plate. I did not experience any wobbling effect for such a large battery.
As for the monitor, the construction was very strong. It felt like if you dropped it, it would sustain the drop. The buttons were also very well made, and a bit hard plastic and not rubber that could chip away. Unfortunately I ended up returning the monitor and never got to properly field test it because the Marshall monitor I got from B&H had an LCD screen that was off center where you could see light coming from one side of the monitor from it being placed down wrong. It also had a line on the monitor going across it on the LCD screen. I was so pissed off because I had spent around $80-$100 over nighting my entire order just to get it in time to test it out before a big commercial shoot. In the end, I had no monitor for my shoot and had to hire a camera operator with one to do it. I could have rented one, but again I wouldn't have had enough time to test it properly and feel comfortable with it.
I did take the Marshall LCD70MD outside while I had it just to see how well it did outdoors for a quick test. The glare was very bad and the NIT of 800 was not enough to see it properly with sunlight behind you, although you could see some stuff on the monitor in better shaded areas, it wasn't ideal. I've used a SmallHD A7 outdoors without a sunhood and it is by far much worse though. However SmallHD has an amazing lens hood that fixes that problem. I would definitely recommend getting a monitor hood for outdoor shoots, even at 800 NITS on the Marshall, it's not enough. A big selling point back then on getting the Marshall was higher NITs, so my thoughts now are if NITs don't help as much as expected outdoors and you'll need a monitor hood anyways, might as well get a larger monitor from Ikan at that point with more features on it and monitor hood. There have been some positive reviews/feedback on the Ikan D7w on the black magic forums.
B&H never refunded my overnight charges, so I lost that. They did refund my purchase after around 4 business days though without much hassle at all. The packing slip they emailed to print out to return it, was pre-paid, however all you can do is drop it off at a shipping location and the pre-paid shipping back to them did not have insurance on it. So I just prayed that it would make its way back. The shipping shop I dropped it off at, also did not give any confirmation slip or anything that they even got the package. So it was like handing it to them and just hoping B&H gets the return, it was a weird experience.
I'm about to do another big commercial shoot and I'm looking at buying a monitor again or just bringing on another camera man with one. I have completely ruled out getting the SmallHD because of the lack of professional broadcast calibration features.
I am leaning towards getting either an Ikan D7w or possibly even a refurbished Ikan. You can get some great deals on a refurbished Ikan from their website under their used/refurbished section. The only reason I'm considering that is because I could get two refurbished monitors over time that are a bit smaller instead of 1 larger one. I'm considering getting a 2nd BMCC camera eventually when I can afford it.
I just have to see where my budget falls in over the next few days.
As for the monitor, the construction was very strong. It felt like if you dropped it, it would sustain the drop. The buttons were also very well made, and a bit hard plastic and not rubber that could chip away. Unfortunately I ended up returning the monitor and never got to properly field test it because the Marshall monitor I got from B&H had an LCD screen that was off center where you could see light coming from one side of the monitor from it being placed down wrong. It also had a line on the monitor going across it on the LCD screen. I was so pissed off because I had spent around $80-$100 over nighting my entire order just to get it in time to test it out before a big commercial shoot. In the end, I had no monitor for my shoot and had to hire a camera operator with one to do it. I could have rented one, but again I wouldn't have had enough time to test it properly and feel comfortable with it.
I did take the Marshall LCD70MD outside while I had it just to see how well it did outdoors for a quick test. The glare was very bad and the NIT of 800 was not enough to see it properly with sunlight behind you, although you could see some stuff on the monitor in better shaded areas, it wasn't ideal. I've used a SmallHD A7 outdoors without a sunhood and it is by far much worse though. However SmallHD has an amazing lens hood that fixes that problem. I would definitely recommend getting a monitor hood for outdoor shoots, even at 800 NITS on the Marshall, it's not enough. A big selling point back then on getting the Marshall was higher NITs, so my thoughts now are if NITs don't help as much as expected outdoors and you'll need a monitor hood anyways, might as well get a larger monitor from Ikan at that point with more features on it and monitor hood. There have been some positive reviews/feedback on the Ikan D7w on the black magic forums.
B&H never refunded my overnight charges, so I lost that. They did refund my purchase after around 4 business days though without much hassle at all. The packing slip they emailed to print out to return it, was pre-paid, however all you can do is drop it off at a shipping location and the pre-paid shipping back to them did not have insurance on it. So I just prayed that it would make its way back. The shipping shop I dropped it off at, also did not give any confirmation slip or anything that they even got the package. So it was like handing it to them and just hoping B&H gets the return, it was a weird experience.
I'm about to do another big commercial shoot and I'm looking at buying a monitor again or just bringing on another camera man with one. I have completely ruled out getting the SmallHD because of the lack of professional broadcast calibration features.
I am leaning towards getting either an Ikan D7w or possibly even a refurbished Ikan. You can get some great deals on a refurbished Ikan from their website under their used/refurbished section. The only reason I'm considering that is because I could get two refurbished monitors over time that are a bit smaller instead of 1 larger one. I'm considering getting a 2nd BMCC camera eventually when I can afford it.
I just have to see where my budget falls in over the next few days.
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Mitch Gross
Veteran
May I humbly suggest looking ino the Convergent Design Odyssey7? The little sister to the Odyssey7Q, the Odyssey7 has the exact same case and 7.7" OLED display. It is an absolutely brilliant image, by far the best in the portable monitor class no matter what price. It also has a full set of scope (waveform, vectorscope, histogram, false color) as well as focus assist and other controls, plus it is even a pro level recorder should you want that functionality. It's only $1295 and due to start shipping next month.